Haunted Hayride with the Mountain Man: a steamy, grumpy x sunshine Halloween one hour romance short read

by Elli Marsh, Sydney Kay

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2026

About the author

🥰Husband and wife romance author duo

New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut)

💚 We fell in love in the mountains 🏔️ and feel called to them like a fat kid to cake 🎂

🐱 Cat parents to the most spoiled fluffy flufferkin, Simon

Chronically don't keep up with pop culture and will have more questions than it's even worth explaining 😂

💜 She's happiest when she don't have to leave the house or wear real pants (it's possible she doesn't own real pants)

💙 Spends most of his time chasing waterfalls (please disregard what TLC told you in the mid-90s, where he conveniently still thinks he lives)

Pet parents/vending machine to outdoor chipmunks, squirrels, groundhogs, skunks, possums, and sometimes racoons (and all the birdies) 🐦 🕊️

Reviews

[Carolee]

What a deliciously fun ride! Haunted Hayride with the Mountain Man had me grinning from the first crash into Frost Peak Farm and happily buckling in for all the cozy, spooky, heart-tugging chaos that followed. Skyland and Nova are such a winning match: he is gruff, guarded, and carrying heavy feelings, while she brings sparkle, sass, and just the right amount of sunshine to shake up his world.

The authors do a wonderful job blending playful fall atmosphere with heartfelt emotion, giving readers both the charm of a small mountain town and the tender pull of two people finding their way toward each other. The writing is lively, inviting, and easy to devour, with a pace that makes the novella feel like the perfect one-sitting treat. I especially loved how the haunted hayride setting added a whimsical seasonal spark without ever overshadowing the romance at the center.

If you enjoy grumpy x sunshine chemistry, emotional little gut-punches, cozy farm vibes, and a guaranteed happy ending, this is an easy five-star pick. It is sweet, spirited, and full of autumn romance energy, with characters who are impossible not to root for. I finished it smiling and absolutely ready to spend more time with the Frost Peak Farm mountain men!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nathalie DeSousa]

This is as sweet and steamy read!

Skyland is a man jaded by love who returned home to take care of his father (dementia) and also soothe the wounds his ex fiance left behind. NOw he is leaving with the last of his savings, caring for a man who is declining, and with the idea that he could be carrying the same gene mutation,

Nova is a wedding planner in town scouting locations for her upcoming events, when her car breaks down, and it is a headless rider who comes to her rescue. Sky and Nova's meet cute is funny. BUt there is a catch, they have a past, as she was the planner organizing the wedding that never happened.

But now they have a chance to openly chat and get to know each other, and though he has sworn off love, there is something about Nova that calls to him , and it is mutual. She is the opposite of his ex fiance, and the attraction between them is off the charts.

She is sunshine and heart wrapped in killer curves to his broodiness and hurt hidden under tattered clothing. Their passion is smoking and strong, their love is instant and true. Just sucha sweet read!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tasha]

Haunted Hayride with the Mountain Man by Elli Marsh and Sydney Kay is a quick, steamy Halloween romance that delivers exactly what you’d expect from a grumpy x sunshine short read: with plenty of spooky atmosphere, undeniable chemistry, and a satisfying romantic spark. The Halloween setting is one of my favorite parts of this story. The haunted hayride created the perfect backdrop for two very different personalities to collide. The grumpy mountain man and his sunshine counterpart had that classic opposites-attract dynamic that made their interactions fun to read. Their chemistry developed quickly, but that works well for a one-hour romance because the story wastes no time getting to the good stuff. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the characters. Overall, Haunted Hayride with the Mountain Man was a fun, spicy Halloween romance with a charming grumpy x sunshine pairing, a festive spooky setting, and enough chemistry to make this a quick and enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grinning Cat]

Nova and Skyland’s story is high on steam and low on plot, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Skyland is caring for his father (who has dementia) while working as a part of the local haunted hayride. Nova, a wedding planner, comes to check out the farm for a wedding venue. Their Instalove is complicated because Skyland is at risk for inheriting his father’s dementia.
The story was mostly cute, with a little bit of seriousness which never seemed like a real threat, especially since she was all in 100% whether or not he had the illness. I don’t feel like the story really sold the Instalove, either, honestly. It was unusual whiplash, and I’m normally all about the Instalove. This was more like:
Hai.
Hai.
Pretty horsie! I luuurve you!
I luuurve you too, but I might have a fatal, debilitating disease.
Okay. I will love you and squeeze you and name you George…

Just… no.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber]

Nova comes to town to scout out a farm as a possible wedding venue, only to discover that it belongs to Skyland, someone she had briefly worked with while helping to plan his own wedding… until his fiancée ran away. Since then, Skyland has spent the last few years keeping his distance and running away from anything that might get too close. But seeing Nova again seems to awaken something in him. Can they both put their insecurities aside and take a chance on building something lasting?

This was a quick read and there were some sweet moments between Nova and Skyland. It is part of the multi-author *Scare of Love* series, which has been interesting to read and I’ve enjoyed seeing the different takes on the theme.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex Wallace]

Nova and Skyland had me swooning. Nova is a wedding planner living in her mother’s shadow. Where her mother plans these elaborate, expensive weddings Nova prefers making these beautiful weddings a reality without spending enough to buy a car. Skyland was engaged and Nova planned his wedding but his fiance left him and since then he hasn’t wanted any woman, he has enough on his plate as it is with his father’s health so the last thing he wants is one more thing to lose if he ends up like his dad. But Nova crashing into a ditch while he is dressed like the headless horseman changes their lives. Elli’s contribution to the Scared to Love multi-author series was spooky and perfectly written. I loved every second, now I can’t wait to read the rest of this series very soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna]

Nova is checking locations for weddings when she ends up in the ditch.

Skyland comes to the rescue on his trusty steed but frightens poor Nova in his headless horseman costume. Nova is shaken till Skyland removes the head piece and offers her a ride back to her hotel. They are immediately drawn to each other and even the horse up on the back patio to enjoy more time together. Skyland sneaks of and arranged a row for Nova but he's reluctant to let her leave and shows back up with flowers and chocolate. Nova has some doubts but his return wins her heart and they make things work.

[Marie]

You cannot live in fear.....

...it shackles your ability to hope, to plan, to enjoy. To live. Skyland has let betrayal followed by his father's illness crush his dreams and steal his drive to live a full and rewarding life.
Nova shakes that up and has him needing to worship her, protect her and live every day to the fullest. She gives him back his hope, his trust and his ability to love.
This novella manages to be sweet, scary, steamy and heartwrenching all at once. It is lovely to see Nova and Skyland find each other. Two lost souls who complete each other and find a future together.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Angi]

Nova is scouting spaces for a wedding she is planning when she ends up in a ditch. Skylar comes to her rescue. He knows exactly who she is, she was the planner for his wedding that never happened. They had an instant connection and through them getting closer he was finding healing and someone to share his worries. They fall and live and begin to plan a future together. This is a short, steamy and fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelley D]

A fun, quick small-town romance from Elli. She never disappoints when it comes to creating likable characters and introducing new couples to fall in love with. I enjoyed following their journey as their connection developed, the chemistry between them was undeniable. The romance had just the right amount of sweetness, tension, and spice to keep the pages turning. A satisfying read for anyone who enjoys a light, steamy small-town love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch]

“Haunted Hayride with the Mountain Man” by Elli Marsh and Sydney Kay

-This is a quick, steamy Halloween romance. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Guarded Skyland and sunny Nova reconnect at Frost Peak Farm, where their chemistry brings sweet moments and playful banter. The haunted hayride and cozy autumn atmosphere add charm as they work through their insecurities.
A fun “grumpy-meets-sunshine” story with heartfelt emotion and a satisfying happy ending.

[$2.08]

This was a great short read. They met and fell hard right away. However, there are some issues that could stand in the way of HEA. I loved that neither one of them was willing to end things without trying to make it work. They loved each other too much to not try.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[laura.lovesreading]

I read a quite dark and in parts disturbing book prior and really needed a totally opposite book.
And that’s exactly what "Haunted Hayride with the Mountain Man" delivered.

It’s a spicy, quick, charming and entertaining Halloween themed fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Freilinger]

Headless horseman

Skyland is the headless horseman for a haunted hayride when he comes upon Nova in a ditch. He recognizes her instantly and she had a feeling that they have met before. She was the wedding planner for his wedding that never happened. But there is also a pull that they have.

[Angie Gardner]

Haunted Hayride
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Chemistry: 💣💣💣💣
Humor: 😅
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nova and Skyland have a unique history. Their chance reunion leads to serious spice mixed up with the holiday.

I enjoyed this short read and the bonus epilogue. I thought how they originally met was unique. I loved the spice!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky]

The attraction and spice are instant when Skyland and Nova meet. Nova has car trouble, and Skyland, part of the Halloween hayride entertainment, picks her up on horseback. This is a spicy, sweet story with excellent characters who get their perfect HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Debbie Benson]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how meeting again has Skyland and Nova falling in love. They live each day to the fullest. I'm glad his tests came back negative.

[DEBBIE GG]

this is a quick,fun, sweet halloween romance. i enjoyed everything about it. the plot was nice and the characters were entertaining